Turkey processor Butterball, LLC, Garner, N.C., said it will close its Longmont, Colo. facility, effective December 31, 2011. Officials cited increased grain and other input costs as reasons for the move. They also said it would streamline operations.
 
“The decision to close a facility is one of the most difficult decisions a company can make. After long and careful consideration, amid record high ingredient costs, our company has come to the conclusion that we must take these steps in order to improve our overall effectiveness.” said Rod Brenneman, Butterball president and chief executive officer. “With this country’s current economic situation, it is all the more difficult. However, government ethanol subsidies and record high fuel prices for much of 2010 and 2011 contributed to a major increase in our operating costs and the closure of this facility is necessary to streamline our operations and accommodate current and projected demands.”
 
Brenneman said that during the past five years, Butterball’s increase in costs related to higher feed ingredient commodity markets (corn, soybean meal, fat, etc.) has averaged nearly $65 million per year, or $325 million total.
 
Butterball said it will work with Longmont facility employees to provide career counseling and discuss job opportunities at different Butterball locations. Butterball has five other locations in Carthage, Mo.; Huntsville, Jonesboro and Ozark, Ark.; and Mt. Olive, N.C.